10/3/19 8:25AM: Larry Brooks writes that the organization didn’t want to “introduce an added element” to Zibanejad’s game that might mess with his development. (NY Post)
Brooks notes though that Zibanejad is a leader on the team and could be named captain next season. (NY Post)
10/2/19 12:27PM: The Rangers will not name a captain for this season according to Larry Brooks.
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The Rangers have been without a captain since Ryan McDonagh was traded during the 2017-18 season.
Marc Staal, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and Jesper Fast will be alternate captains, again, this season. (Brooks)
Kreider and Fast are both slated to be UFA at the end of the season while Staal is signed through next season and Zibanejad is signed through 2022.
John Davidson said at the start of training camp, “I’m getting to know everybody, I’ve certainly talked to Jeff Gorton and Chris Drury and coach Quinn and we are having on-going discussions about it. Being around the guys here, they are a pretty outgoing, confident group so I’m not really worried about it but if something fits and you find one, it’s always a good thing but it’s gotta be the right person and we have to make that decision in a very professional way.”
David Quinn said at the start of training camp, “I think we would like to have a captain but that is something that will evolve. We are in a situation where it’s going to happen and the captain will pick himself in a lot of ways.”
Adam Rotter: It’s a little surprising that the Rangers aren’t naming a captain, specifically Mika Zibanejad. I don’t think it’s a slight to Zibanejad and he still has to be the odds on favorite to eventually be captain, but it’s odd that they aren’t setting down roots with him having the “C” for this season. They shouldn’t name a captain just to have one, if that were the case it would be Marc Staal as he has had an “A” on his jersey since John Tortorella was coach.